In a ceremony on July 30, on the show floor at Cosmoprof North America, 10 winners of the second annual Beauty Innovation & Design Awards (Beauty ID Awards)—a competition that recognizes some of the industry’s most innovative suppliers and brands in packaging, formulation and contract packaging—were announced, following experts’ judging of hundreds of applicants. The awards program is held in collaboration with Beauty Packaging. Following is the list of 2018’s winning brands and suppliers, along with photos and comments from many of the recipients.

Package Innovation/The Grand Award: Color: (Nail/Makeup; Prestige/Mass): Jeremy Scott X MAC (HCT Group)

Commenting on the double-category win for MAC, Anthony DeMarco, executive vice president of sales, HCT Group, says: “It is always exciting working on a new development that is creative, innovative and different. Bringing to reality the Jeremy Scott and the MAC team vision of ’80s and ’90s music through packaging was an exhilarating journey. I am partial to the ’80s era, so the boom box and cassette kits were some of my favorites.

“The tin packaging allows for the vibrant decoration, and the glossy black plastic inserts are clean and sleek, allowing the colors to pop.”

Package Innovation/The Audience Choice Award: Fragrance (Prestige/Mass): Liberatta Noire (Yanbal International)

When the innovation and product development team faced the challenge to create a new iconic fragrance for Yanbal, the brief was clear: sophisticated and high-quality and at the same time a modern and innovative point of view.

Inspired by the new concept, Fabiola Noriega, corporate director of innovation and product development, Yanbal International, explains: “Our packaging designers started a handmade process to create original and sensual forms for the new fragrance. As the project moved on, another challenge was the selection of materials and finished looks. We needed to use and adapt materials that could transmit the design and be produced on a large scale. We combined art and craftmanship with the best materials and high-quality standards to make Liberatta an appealing offer to our consumers. A design that makes us proud!”

Formula Innovation: Cosmetic Contract Manufacturing. Algenist Genius Liquid Collagen (Algenist)

“It is a real honor to be recognized by our peers for the formula innovation with Liquid Collagen,” says Algenist CEO, Rose Fernandez. “Liquid Collagen was a real challenge for us to develop and a game changer for us on many levels. Algenist was born from never-before-seen technology derived from algae coupled with compelling ingredients. Liquid Collagen is one of those first-to-market innovations that is a sustainably-produced, clean vegan formula, and of course, delivers visible results in 10 days as our clients expect from us with every Algenist product. The Beauty ID Award is validation to the team in their continuous priority to drive innovation always.”

Package Innovation: Hair (Professional/Prestige): Naturelab Tokyo (Naturelab Tokyo)

The concept for the bottle design came to NatureLab Tokyo as a fun and literal representation of their brand philosophy: scientifically advanced formulas that use the latest plant-based technology to combat common haircare concerns. Dustin Cash, brand director, NatureLab Tokyo, says, “We are so thrilled to have won the award for Packaging Innovation in Haircare this year!” In late September, NatureLab Tokyo debuted at its first brick-and-mortar retail partner—Urban Outfitters.

Package Innovation: Skin (Mass): Kocostar/Lip Mask (Kocostar USA)

“Kocostar designs beauty products that not only reveal your true beauty, but also allow enjoyable beauty care with innovative, beautiful packaging. It is our goal to create designs that are both eye-catching and transparent for anyone to easily learn about the products,” says Jung Soo Ham, CEO, Kocostar.

Ham says it is easy to come up with new ideas, but difficult to actually implement them. There were two challenges in manufacturing the Lip Mask: Prevention of leakage and the outer coating. “We all loved the idea of using a lip-shaped container for a set of hydrogel lip patches, but using an unconventional container meant new troubles. We needed to find a way to make the container leakage-free, desiccation-free, and also hassle-free to open. It took a lot of time and effort before the idea was finally commercialized.

Once the container was ready, Kocostar moved onto the outer coating. “We wanted to imitate the petal-like hue and feel on the container, and our business partners gladly cooperated in projecting a beautiful velvety matte coat. During the process, we once again realized the value of relationships, belief, and passion among a team in bringing ideas to reality,” notes Ham.

Package Innovation: Skin (Professional/Prestige): Dermaflash (Dermaflash)

According to Dermaflash founder and CEO Dara Levy, the elevated (new and improved Dermaflash 2.0 Luxe) device and repackaging was a labor of love and a company effort. “We tried outsourcing the packaging twice and were never happy with the results. We came to the realization that no one got the DNA of the brand.” So, Levy changed the process: “I have such an incredible team of amazing, smart and ethnically diverse women working in our various departments, we decided not to outsource and took over the project. Every aspect of our packaging was created in house and my amazing team actually lives on the box.”

The side panel of the Dermaflash 2.0 Luxe box features “our own gorgeous employees, not models,” with all company branding and packaging efforts done internally and overseen by Levy. “We designed the packaging together, without outsourcing to creative agencies, because I felt no one knows this product better than those of us who were the inspiration and perspiration behind all of the magic,” she adds.

Dermaflash was created by a woman for all women, regardless of age, skin tone, type or color. “I think that is the future of beauty and our brand vision,” says Levy. “I wanted that represented in every facet of our product including the packaging. Our brand vision is something that we are very proud of and we are honored to have been recognized by Beauty ID. We agonized over every detail of our packaging, as we do with every single project we take on,” she says.

Package Innovation: Sustainability: Choose Green Sugarcane Tubes (Express Tubes, Inc.)

Express Tubes says they are so proud to accept the Beauty ID Award for Eco-Friendly Packaging. They have (with the help of their partners) spent the past five years developing this eco-friendly tube, refining it, and working to make their vision of a better plastic tube a reality. Many challenges stood in their way upon the onset of development. By far, the greatest challenge was creating a plastic that would provide their customers with the beauty, durability, and value they had come to expect from Express’s traditional tubes, while also meeting the standards of their eco-friendly vision. Today, Express Tubes says they have met this challenge, as their sugar cane tube “stands as a leader in the eco-friendly and sustainable market.” 

2018 Category Winners

Formula Innovation: Cosmetic Contract Manufacturing. Algenist Genius Liquid Collagen (Algenist)
Package Innovation: Color: (Nail/Makeup) Prestige/Mass): Jeremy Scott X MAC (HCT Group)
Package Innovation: Fragrance (Prestige/Mass): Liberatta Noire (Yanbal International)
Package Innovation: Hair (Professional/Prestige): Naturelab Tokyo (Naturelab Tokyo)
Package Innovation: Personal Care (Professional/Prestige): Lilu Lip Care (Lilu Lip Care)
Package Innovation: Skin (Mass): Kocostar/Lip Mask (Kocostar USA)
Package Innovation: Skin (Professional/Prestige): Dermaflash (Dermaflash)
Package Innovation: Sustainability: Choose Green Sugarcane Tubes (Express Tubes, Inc.)
The Grand Award: Jeremy Scott X MAC (HCT Group)
The Audience Choice Award: Liberatta Noire (Yanbal International)